by Mika B. Coit
"Not Lucas Baddesley..."
Thinking about what Kazuki said Iliana finished his sentence.
"Lord Baddesley!"
"Wow!... You are not as thick as you look!" Kazuki said sarcastically.
Iliana threw him a deathly glare which could have frozen water.
"That time when Lord Baddesley lost his wife and his son went into coma was when the unusual high amount of possessions started!" Father Benjamin exclaimed. "Remember, when we told you those town people who were the culprit for the death of his wife?"
Iliana nodded thinking how could she forget that tragic story.
"Well, Lord Baddesley visited them in the first week they were all admitted in prison, the next day they were insane. They talked to themselves in multiple languages including Latin which when I talked to their families was impossible, because English was the only language they knew. They did not eat or drink for the three weeks they were in their cells." Father Benjamin informed sitting on the edge of his desk and folding his arms in front of him. "When the Mayor called me to visit them in private I knew instantly that their inner demon had fully taken over the human soul and body, and would be very resistant in Arising if I did the Chant. Even so I tried anyway to draw out the demons from the human bodies, Kazuki and Jung were ready to Purify. But as the demons struggled to Arise the human body began to deteriorate and bleed out from the inside... I had to stop. I mean... we would have been able to kill the demons and Purify the souls. But if the human body dies, that soul will go into limbo... I could not bare to have that weight on my shoulders for the rest of my life."
With his eyes fixed on the floor Father Benjamin sighed as if it was still very raw in his mind. Even Kazuki had a distasteful look on his face, but it was him who carried on for Father Benjamin.
"The next day they were found dead in their cells apparently Jung said... their bodies were mutilated... as if a bomb had exploded from inside their bodies. Obviously for everyone’s peace of mind... especially for their families, they were told they killed themselves. However, there was a witness who reported that the night before their deaths, he saw Lord Baddesley’s black Jaguar car, parked behind the prison and a silhouetted figure getting into it, then drove away. Of course a couple of days later... that witness supposedly killed himself too."
"But was there no guards at the prison or cameras?" Iliana asked.
"The guards had no memory of anything suspicious... The cameras showed no images of anything unusual, and Lord Baddesley... thanks to your Mother... he was cut off of all the accusations connected to him."
Iliana pulled out a chair from the desk nearest to her and slumped herself down.
"Why did you not tell me any of this?" She asked looking up at Father Benjamin in front of her.
"Because... your Mother is closely involved with Lord Baddesley. And I... we did not want to scare you." He replied.
"I thank you for your concern but I can manage, honestly... I have to go to my limits for those who need me out there... who need us!" Iliana responded firmly sitting on the edge of her chair.
Kazuki looked at her a little taken back by her courageous remark and Father Benjamin smiled as he nodded then he added.
"And... about your Mother. We have suspected your Mother as one of Lord Baddesley’s close followers, but what you had told us... just adds to our suspicions in her involvement in all this. But how far involved she is in... remains a mystery."
Iliana lowered her eyes to the desk. Even though she had told Father Benjamin and Kazuki all she knew, she did not mention that her Mother might be in the first stages of possession. Kazuki watched Iliana thinking to herself knowing that she was keeping something from them, but did not say anything as Father Benjamin carried on talking.
"And there is Lucas... he has changed a lot since he woke up from the coma. But to be able to wave off your powers with a flick of a hand... is another thing altogether." Father Benjamin sighed, rubbing his fingers over his forehead as if thinking too much was giving him a headache. "What part does he play in all this?... What power does he possess?... There is still so many un-answered questions."
Father Benjamin got off from the desk and started to pace up and down the room frustrated with how little they know. Silence took over for a few minutes, the sound of students running past the corridor on the other side of the classroom door was heard. But it did not hinder the thoughts from the minds of the three inside the classroom. It was Iliana who broke the silence as she remembered the big news that saturated the whole school.
"The party!" She said.
Father Benjamin and Kazuki both snapped out of their deep thoughts and looked at her.
"The party?" Father Benjamin repeated then understanding what she meant he said. "Yes, that is it!... The party will be held at Lord Baddesley’s mansion. Your Mother must have been invited, right Iliana?..."
Iliana nodded.
"Are you suggesting she should go and investigate his mansions for any clues whilst he is occupied with the other crowd?" Kazuki asked trying to work out Father Benjamin’s methods.
"Not just Iliana... apparently the invitation says... that those who have children that attends St. Anthony Preston’s Academy, can invite one friend. Iliana... have you invited anyone yet?"
"No... I do not know who to invite as my friends are already going."
"Then Kazuki will be your attendee."
"What?" Kazuki and Iliana cried out in unison.
"It would beneficial to have both of you working together, especially as we do not know what the security is like on the night." Father Benjamin explained. "And also, Iliana would need your protection Kazuki. Lucas knows about Iliana and her powers, but we do not know about his or even if he is working with his father... In fact I have to confess, after hearing Iliana’s news today, we do not know a lot."
Then Father Benjamin added before neither of them could say anything.
"For one night... can you two get along and work together?"
Iliana and Kazuki’s eyes lowered to the floor, looking like they have been scolded.
*** Chapter 5 ***
The week went by pretty quickly and soon enough Saturday arrived in a hurry. Iliana found herself rushing around to get ready for the big night which got most of the people in the city fussed for the past week.
"Iliana!... Come on... We are going to be late!" Mother shouted from the bottom of the stairs whilst putting on her emerald tear drop earrings.
"I am coming!..." Iliana yelled back.
"I told you... you should have come back an hour earlier from your walk with Yuki then you would not be rushing around like you are now!..."
Father tapped Mother on her shoulder and nodded on the top landing of the stairs where Iliana now stood. Iliana wore a full length sleeveless champagne coloured dress. The fitted bodice had detailed silver lace appliques on top and a round her neck with pearls on her shoulders for decoration. The tulle skirt flowed down to the ground, giving her a short trail behind her. Her diamond and pearl cuff bracelet with specks of light blue sapphire glinted under the light from the landing as did her diamond and sapphire drop earrings. Her hair was left cascading down her back like black satin. Mother and Father stared at their daughter in awe. As Iliana lifted her dress up to make her way down to them she showed off her gold heeled shoes.
"Do I look all right?" Iliana asked flicking her fringe into place.
"You look like an angel." Father replied trying not to get too tearful.
Iliana smiled then ran her fingers down the arm of his tuxedo.
"You do not look so bad yourself Mr. Bond." She said jokingly.
Father chuckled then stood in between Iliana and Mother with his elbows raised.
"Well... my two Bond girls... shall we go?"
Laughing, Mother and Iliana took his arm then all made their way to Andrew who was waiting for them by the car. Andrew raised his driver’s cap revealing his mass of brown hair as he opened the car door and Iliana slid into the ca
r.
"Thank you Andrew." Iliana said.
"My pleasure... I must say... you look ravishing tonight." He complemented.
Iliana smiled then said... "Thank you" before he closed the door.
Just arriving at the gates of Lord Baddesley’s mansion and queuing to drive through, Mother turned to Iliana.
"You still have not told us who you have invited to the party yet." She said wiping her hand over her updo hairstyle.
"You will soon find out." Iliana said smiling nervously.
Iliana had a feeling that Mother would not approve of inviting Kazuki as he was not to her standards in wealth. So keeping it a secret to everyone was much safer and easier, luckily Kazuki agreed with it without knowing her real reasons why.
The cars parked by the flight of steps to the white mansion which much resembled the White House in America. The men in their tuxedos and the women in their gowns made their way up the flight of marble steps which led to the big entrance of the mansion. Once the three cars in front drove away a group of people directed Andrew and the two cars behind him to park next.
Father opened the door for Iliana while Mother was helped out by Andrew. Once they were standing at the bottom of the steps Andrew slipped back into the car and drove away to the designated parking area behind the mansion. It was only then Iliana noticed how gorgeous Mother looked in her refreshing green full length deep V neck and back gown with a delicate handmade embroidered bodice which flowed down to the hips, giving Mother a glittering look. And the chiffon skirt just cascaded down to the ground like a waterfall.
"Mother." Iliana said before Father lead Mother up the marble steps. "You look stunning."
Mother smiled placing a hand softly on Iliana’s cheek.
"Thank you... and your Father is right... you look like an angel."
Seeing her Mother give her the warmest smile made Iliana almost forget that Mother’s inner demon is beginning to take control of her. But as Father led Mother up the steps, it suddenly flashed back into her mind. Iliana shuddered at the thought... the thought of Mother being possessed, and also somehow involved with Lord Baddesley’s plans.
‘Pretending that none of this true is a ludicrous thing to do... what else can I do?’ Iliana thought sounding deflated. ‘What should I do?’
A car tooted making everyone turn round including Iliana. A red Mini Cooper made it’s way to park in front of her. Jung was sitting in the driver’s seat with the window down. Once he parked he stuck his head out with his eyes almost popping out.
"Holy crickets... Iliana! You look like a goddess!" He cried out quite loudly that few people stared at him with their noses up in the air.
"Jung!... It is good to see you." Iliana said standing by the car door. "Why are you here?"
"Had to drop off Prince Charming here." Jung replied as the passenger door opened.
Kazuki got out the car and slammed the door shut. Iliana’s heart skipped a beat when Kazuki’s crystal blue eyes quickly glanced over to her as he walked round the front of the car. He wore the black tuxedo that most of the men including Father was wearing. But he looked so dashing that he even caused a flutter of murmurs and gasps from the ladies around them. It was when Kazuki combed his fingers through his dark brown hair away from his eyes which made Iliana almost weak at the knees.
"I love it when he does that." Jung said as Kazuki stood next to Iliana with strands of his hair slithering back over his eyes. "That hand move always gets the girls in a jitter."
Iliana had to tear her eyes away from Kazuki and looked at Jung who was smiling at her with his eyebrows going up and down.
"What?..." Iliana asked wondering what he meant with his strange looks.
"Aah!... Adolescence can be so cute." He said with a snigger.
"You can go now." Kazuki said to him in a bored manner.
"Okay, okay... but remember... you can have fun..." Jung started then lowering his voice. "In between your... you know what... Bye bye."
Jung waved through his open window as he drove away towards the exit.
"He is a nutter!" Kazuki said under his breath turning round and making his way up the steps.
Smiling Iliana followed him then saw Mother’s eyes piercing down into her’s with so much disgust, it nearly made Iliana’s heart shrivel like a rotten tomato. A much different look than she had about five minutes ago. When Iliana and Kazuki reached Mother and Father at the top of the steps Kazuki held out his hand.
"Mr. and Mrs. D’coye... good evening. I am Kazuki Jacob Williams." He said quite poshly.
Father took Kazuki’s hand and shook it.
"Pleasure to finally meet you. Iliana has kept the identity of her invitee a secret. I was afraid she was inviting Yuki, her dog... as a joke!" Father said humorously letting go of Kazuki’s hand.
Smiling Kazuki said...
"I have met Yuki once... she has more manners than I."
Father laughed out loud.
"And I... she has a lot of personality too. Anyway... shall we go in otherwise there will be no food left." Then lowering his voice down added jokingly. "It is the only reason why I came really."
Iliana and Kazuki smiled but when Father led the way Mother gave both Iliana and Kazuki a dirty look before turning her nose up then linked her arm with Father’s.
"I am so glad your Mother likes me." Kazuki whispered sarcastically.
All Iliana could do was smile awkwardly already knowing that Mother would have disapproved inviting Kazuki because of his rank in society. They passed through the vast lobby and was directed into the Great Hall by two men who were dressed smartly in black evening tailcoats accompanied by trousers featuring black satin stripes. The Great Hall was colossal. It was nearly the size of a football ground with white Greek style pillars which stood in a row either side of the room. A large crystal chandelier hung from the centre of the ceiling which seemed so far up, Iliana felt like an ant looking up to it. A red velvet carpet ran down the centre of the room on top of the marble floor, where crowds of people stood chatting and drinking in their finery.
"I was not expecting so many people!" Iliana remarked. "I thought it was a gathering for the prestigious people."
"There are a lot of prestigious people in the city!" Mother exclaimed then added coldly. "I am surprised you did not invite one instead of the common one you have brought with you this evening!"
Iliana gasped in shock of Mother’s tone but Father was the one to speak out first.
"Jane... that is uncalled for!" He said angrily. "Apologise at once!"
Mother glared at Father with intense look but her eyes lit up at the sight of a man in a red velvet dinner jacket.
"Lord Baddesley!..." She called out.
"Jane!..." Father snapped grabbing her arm.
Mother gave him a fierce look that made Father let go quickly. Iliana watched them both, her heart wrenching with the sight of her parent’s attitude towards each other. She had never seen them like this before. Kazuki looked at Iliana with a burst of feelings in his heart and pity was one of them.
"Jane!..."
The man in the velvet red jacket came over and gave Mother a kiss on the cheek. Then shook Father’s hand.
"Leslie!... I am pleased you were all able to come tonight."
"We would not have missed it for the world, Lord Baddesley!" Mother said smiling as if nothing had happened.
"And this beautiful young lady must be the Iliana that I have heard so much, yet never had the pleasure of meeting."
Iliana forced a smile. He was a small built man and only a couple of inches taller than Iliana and she was not that tall. He was probably a few years older than Father and had a mass of light iced blond hair that was swept over his head. His dark brown eyes looked intently in Iliana. The more she stared at him the more she saw darkness pouring out from his eyes. But it was when she shook his hand she felt as though she was dragged into a dark and isolated world. Her body and soul went cold and she could hear faint screaming in her e
ars, but Iliana could not tell if it was a male or female screams or even both. Flashes of fire and black smoke rushed around her, making her feel dizzy and nauseated.
Suddenly she felt something warm on her shoulder and Iliana felt like her soul was lifted out from the dark place back into the hall. Iliana quickly let go of Lord Baddesley’s hand and looked at her shoulder to find Kazuki’s hand laid on it. She looked at him, feeling warmth rushing back inside her by just gazing into his eyes. But he frowned at her as he lifted his hand off her shoulder.
"Are you okay Iliana?" Father asked worriedly.
Iliana turned to Father but found Lord Baddesley staring at her confused and with his hand open in front of him. The awkwardness was broken when Lucas stepped in.
"The atmosphere within this little group feels rather intense... what is going on?" He said.
"Just introducing myself to the daughter of the D’coye family." Lord Baddesley informed then turning back to Iliana added. "It was most interesting."
He looked at Iliana as if he was studying her for a moment. Lucas also turned his eyes to her. After their awkward talk a few days ago Lucas had not even attempted to get close to Iliana again... much to her liking. He then turned to Kazuki and smirked.
"Well, well, well... if it is not Kazuki Jacob Williams... not too posh for you is it? Although I must say... you do look fine in that tuxedo even though it is only a disguise of your lower ranking. I still do not understand why your Father married that pauper."
Kazuki clenched his fist so hard that his knuckles turned white, yet he did not say anything. Even Father looked as if he wanted to say something but just looked away. Lord Baddesley smirked.
"Jane... may I introduce you and Leslie to a few people while your Iliana enjoys herself with her company?" He asked changing the subject.
"Of course."
"Lucas... come, I want to introduce you to them too."
Lucas smirked at Iliana before he followed Lord Baddesley and Mother. Father softly laid a hand on Iliana’s cheek then patted Kazuki on the shoulder, encouragingly before he too followed them. Unable to look straight at Kazuki, Iliana bit her lower lip and tried to think of something to say.